Objet’s 3D printing systems and 3D printing materials are ideal for any company involved in the manufacture or design of physical products using 3D software or other 3D content. Companies using Objet’s solutions can be typically found in sectors such as consumer goods & electronics, aerospace & defense, automotive, education, dental, medical and medical devices, architecture, industrial machinery, footwear, sporting goods, toys and service bureaus.

Assist Israel by forming delegations of your local and state leaders, businessmen, and professors. Contact Jacob (jacob@embraceisrael.com) to discuss possibilities of joint ventures with Israeli businesses & universities involved with the latest bio med and hi tech advances.

If you have an Israeli business or technology to feature contact
Joseph Sherman (joseph@embraceisrael.com), Editor and Content Manager

Embrace Israel thanks Michael Ordman of the Jerusalem Post for highlighting Israeli blessings to the world.

Rabbi Avraham Arieh and Rachel Trugman have thirty years of experience in the field of Jewish education. They were a founding family of Moshav Meor Modiim, Israel in 1976, where Rabbi Trugman served as the Director at the Moshav of the Center for Jewish Education, which successfully ran programs for over 5,000 participants per year from over 25 countries.

In 1988, the Trugmans took the position of Regional Directors of NCSY in Denver, Colorado, where they created a new region and were involved in many educational initiatives in the Jewish community.

The Trugmans returned to Israel in 1995 and are the founders and directors of Ohr Chadash: New Horizons in Jewish Experience. Through their work with Ohr Chadash the Trugmans lecture and lead events at scores of institutions around Israel and throughout North America.

Rabbi Trugman has authored six major books including Return Again, The Mystical Nature of Light, The Mystical Meaning of Dreams, The Mystical Power of Music, and Seeds and Sparks: Inspiration and Self-Expression Through the Cycles of Jewish Life. His latest book Orchard of Delights: The Ohr Chadash Torah Commentary was published in 2011.

Bernabé Gutiérrez, CEO of Arthur Global Practice in Washington DC, a firm specializing in solving geopolitical business challenges.

Assaf Luxembourg of the International Affairs Department at the Israel Ministry of Finance

Josh Hasten, President and founder at Bar Am Public Relations in Jerusalem

Simcha Edward Margolis Financial Technical Analyst and Portfolio Adviser at Hillpoint Enterprises in Jerusalem, and the CEO of ChartingStock

Open to the Outside World

Bernabé Gutiérrez is the CEO of Arthur Global Practice in Washington DC, a firm specializing in solving geopolitical business challenges. Gutiérrez explains “From a geopolitical perspective, there are basically two main drivers or ‘two sides of the same coin.’ First, Israel is open to the outside world. It has a market and government oriented economy with relevant private investment in technology and research. For example, Israel stands at 34 in the ranking of 183 economies on doing business (World Bank data, 2012). So, it performs better than Chile, Spain or Luxembourg.”

Assaf Luxembourg of the International Affairs Department at the Israel Ministry of Finance comments “Yes, our Economic Overview of Israel shows that Israel is an open and diverse market, that is export-oriented. That, of course, in legitimate boundaries like any other western, developed and democratic market.”

Josh Hasten, President and founder at Bar Am Public Relations in Jerusalem notes “I agree that Israel is one of the most advanced countries in the world in regard to the fields of high tech, medical research/ technology etc. The most fascinating aspect is that a country so small surrounded by hostile neighbours is still able to compete and excel on a global scale.”

High Tech and Israel’s Security

Bernabé Gutiérrez continues “Secondly, and related to the first point, we cannot forget the vital role that high tech plays in Israel’s national security: defence electronics, commercial aviation, communication systems, cibersecurity, etc. So, the country’s national security acts favourably to high tech firms. Examples: Check Point, Rafael or Elbit Systems.  These factors work together positioning Israel’s high tech firms in a global second position, called Silicon Wadi in honour of Silicon Valley, where more than 3,850 start-ups have been established in Israel, making it second only to the US in this sector and has the largest number of NASDAQ-listed companies outside North America.”

Josh Hasten elaborates “I absolutely agree with Gutierrez’s second assessment. It is well known that Israel has one of the most well advanced security apparatus’ in the world.  Since it’s founding in 1948 Israel has been at an official State of emergency 24/7, 365, and we have no choice but to succeed in this field.  

Simcha Edward Margolis is a Financial Technical Analyst and Portfolio Adviser at Hillpoint Enterprises near Jerusalem, and CEO of ChartingStock. Margolis adds “While many Israeli companies are now choosing to remain private, rather than have Initial Public Offerings, Israel still has the 2nd highest number of foreign listings on the Nasdaq, behind only China. This is a clear confirmation of Israel’s leading role in Technological Business innovation, especially when one realizes that Israel’s tiny population is a little over 7.6 million versus China’s more than 1.33 Billion people.” 

Assaf Luxembourg notes “In historic terms, the Israeli high-tech is a phenomenon of the last 20 years. The Israeli economy is also consisted of many other sectors, such as agriculture, traditional industry, security industry, etc.”

Race to Innovation

Hillel Porath, Co-Founder at Applitude in Elazar, Israel, suggests “From cleaning products companies to medical to agriculture, what drives Israeli companies to global stardom is the ongoing race to innovation that exists here in Israel.  This innovation is very attractive and people want to business with Israel.  Add to this the incredible support Israel offers to entrepreneurs and the start-up community! ‘Race to Innovation’ means two things: 1. Always striving to be ‘first to market’ with unique products and services  2. Always applying innovation to existing products and services.”

Educated and Disciplined workforce

Simcha Edward Margolis assesses “One of Israel’s greatest strengths is its highly educated workforce. For countless generations, learning has been a priority for the Jewish people & the tradition of excelling in education continues to this day throughout Israel. Studies have shown that the Israeli workforce has one of the highest concentrations of University Degrees, PHDs and Engineers in the world. Despite two major Global recessions in the past 10 years, where economic growth has been seen, it has been spurred primarily by innovations in Technology. Great advancements in Technology are most likely to occur among highly intelligent, and/or highly educated people. Israel has an abundant number of both highly intelligent and highly educated people; therefore it is little surprise that Israel has been a leader in advancements in technology, and the economic growth that comes with those advancements.  All things considered, the leadership & commitment to education in Israel has, and very likely will continue to keep Israel in a leadership role in Technology and Economic growth for years to come.”

Israel’s achievements in education and research are respected around the world. For example, Professor Dan Shechtman of the Technion was awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

(Photo by Technion – Israel Institute of Technology)

Josh Hasten notes “Another factor that contributes to Israeli success I believe is the fact that for 2-3 years most Israeli young adults go to the army where they develop a sense of maturity and discipline, which they apply once they are out in the real world. This leads to always striving for success and the proof is in the pudding.”

Joseph Sherman is the Editor and Content Manager at Embrace Israel.
joseph@embraceisrael.com

Joseph Joel Sherman: Why is cultural awareness important in business?

Debrah Marcus: Cultural awareness is important when we have to interact with people from other cultures and vital in the business world. What may be seen as appropriate in one culture may be seen as inappropriate in another. Understanding the other’s culture is key to successful business interaction and to becoming part of the Global Village.

I spent many years in the Israeli corporate world and became very aware of the lack of finesse and cultural savvy with regard to cross cultural interaction. Today the Israeli business world has become more aware of the need to be part of the global village not only in the technological sense, and people are beginning to understand the importance of being culturally adept.

Joseph Joel Sherman: What services do you offer?

Finesse offers cross cultural communication training, as well as professional interpreting and translation services. The synergy between language and culture are harnessed by Finesse, to offer the client a deep and unique understanding of English speaking cultures and their norms of communication, as well as of the Israeli culture.

Finesse embodies accumulated professional experience within the business world, combined with extensive cross cultural knowledge and experience. We offer workshops, and lectures on cross cultural communication, along with interpreting services for business meetings and translation of business and translation of business documents.

Joseph Joel Sherman: How is being in Israel impacting your business?

Debrah Marcus: There are many challenges when doing business in Israel, and this field is no different. Many Israelis speak English, so interpreting for business meetings can give rise to amusing instances of Heblish versus English and other culture dependant issues.

One of my favourite stories is about a young guy who was sent by his company to a conference in the UK. It was the first time the company had sent him abroad and he was delighted. On his return he was asked about his experiences. He replied that the conference had been interesting and that he had indeed learnt a lot, but that his interaction with the English had not been great – as he found the English to be simply rude.

When asked to explain, he recounted an experience he had at lunch one day: He found himself seated between two English conference attendees who were more or less his age. The conversation revolved pleasantly around the morning’s lectures, until one of the English guys asked him to please pass the salt and pepper. Now our Israeli took this as being rude. When asked why, he replied nonchalantly “does he think I work for him?” “Why couldn’t he simply stretch across and take the salt and pepper himself… why involve me? I’m not his errand boy!” Fortunately this did not give rise to an international incident, but the entire situation could most certainly have been avoided… A little knowledge would have gone a long way in this instance…

Joseph Joel Sherman: Who do you offer training to?

Debrah Marcus: We offer our services to Israeli businesspeople with the aim of bridging the cultural gap and assisting them in becoming part of the Global Village. A similar service is offered to businesspeople from abroad who plan on doing business in Israel, and who need to understand our culture. Understanding the local business culture is always a savvy business move which can save you time and money.

Debrah Marcus, Founder of Finesse Cross Cultural Communication contact@finesseglobal.com

Joseph Joel Sherman, Editor at Embrace Israel joseph@embraceisrael.com

Embrace Israel thanks Michael Ordman of the Jerusalem Post for highlighting Israeli blessings to the world.

Embrace Israel thanks Michael Ordman of the Jerusalem Post for highlighting Israeli blessings to the world.